UFCThe Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts organization, recognized as the largest MMA promotion in the world. The UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada and is owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC. This promotion is responsible for solidifying the sport's postion in the history-books.
UFC is currently undergoing a remarkable surge in popularity, along with greater mainstream media coverage. UFC programming can now be seen on FOX, FX, and FUEL TV in the United States, as well as in 35 other countries worldwide.

We found out today that one of the world’s richest men, Eike Batista, a Brazilian entrepreneur and president of the EBX Group, announced that he will be sponsoring both of the twin brothers, Rodrigo ‘Minotauro’ Nogueira and Rogerio ‘Minotouro’ Nogueira, in their upcoming fights at UFC 140 in Ontario, Canada.

Batista’s EBX Group includes five companies that trade on the BOVESPA´s Novo Mercado, a special segment of the São Paulo stock market where enterprises with the highest standards of corporate governance are listed. These companies include OGX (oil and gas), MPX (energy), LLX (logistics), MMX (mining), and OSX (offshore services and equipment).

Batista, who is ranked 8th on the prestigious Forbes list and is considered to be South America’s richest man, explained his choice of sponsorship on a press release appearing on his website. Here is what his statement said:

“We are supporting national sports through our sponsorship of the Rodrigo Minotauro and Rogério Minotouro brothers, who are Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters, in the last competition of the twins this year against heavyweight Frank Mir and middleweight Tito Ortiz, respectively, in Canada on December 10.

It seems almost perfectly fitting that Mr. Batista sponsor two of the most popular Brazilian names in MMA since the sport is gaining mass popularity and continues to show bright signs of becoming of one of the biggest sports on the planet (which will translate into big, big monry). Batista, who has an estimated wealth of US$30 billion, sees the opportunity to cash in on the MMA money train as the sport continues to take over the Brazilian public’s interest. We’ll see if Batista’s Benjamins can help the Nogueira brothers pull out victories in Canada this Saturday at UFC 140.